Yale to Host NCAA Regional on Saturday

(photo by Greg Carroccio of Sideline Photos, LLC)

Nov 09, 2010

Bulldogs Aim for Strong Season Finish

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Bulldogs have a big weekend ahead as they host the NCAA Northeast Regional Championships in Madison, Conn., on Nov. 13. More than 38 teams will vie for a spot to compete at the NCAA National Championships on Nov. 22. The Bulldogs, who have been ranked in the top 10 all season in the regional polls, will also get a chance to end the season on a strong note.

"All year long, it's rankings; very rarely do you compete with these other teams," head coach Dan Ireland said.

The Bulldogs' seniors look strong going into the meet as they wrap up their collegiate careers. According to coach Ireland, senior Jeff Perrella has a shot at qualifying for the national meet if he runs a solid race and places in the top 15. Perrella has been the frontrunner for the Bulldogs this season and is coming off a sub-25-minute PR for the 8K from Heptagonals, where he also earned All-Ivy honors. Senior captain Max Walden, who was the Bulldogs' second runner at Heptagonals, has also had an impressive season so far, along with junior Julian Sheinbaum. The two have consistently run among the Bulldogs' top five at each meet. Senior Chris Scavone, junior Nathan Richards and sophomores Demetri Goutos and Sam Kirtner will also represent the Bulldogs this weekend.

This year marks Yale's first time hosting the regional meet since 1991 and the first time racing at Hammonassett State Park. The level of competition will be high as the regional meet will feature several nationally ranked teams, including No. 4 Iona and No. 14 Syracuse. The Bulldogs will also get another shot against several Ivy League schools they faced at Heptagonals two weeks ago, including Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth and Harvard.

"The guys are excited to prove we're better than our finish at Heps," Ireland said.

The 10K race kicks off at 1:15 p.m. with the awards ceremony at 2:15 p.m. Results will be posted on Yalebulldogs.com after the meet. Meet information including a course map and directions are available at meet homepage. The top two teams and the next four individuals at the regional meet automatically qualify for the national meet as well as at-large selections. A list of qualifiers will be posted on the NCAA.com by 7:00 p.m. on Nov. 14.